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When to Patch, Resurface, or Repair

Repairing a driveway can be very expensive at times. Even though the driveway is made of concrete or bricks, installing a new driveway makes things very expensive. All you have to decide is whether you need your driveway to be patched, resurfaced, or repaired.

Since repairing a driveway could be very expensive, most of the homeowners fail to replace their driveway and instead choose to patch the cracks and the awful spots on the driveway. This could be cheap at that time, but in the long run, it could turn out to be more than expensive for you. Before you decide what to do in your driveway, you need to consider several factors to ensure you are getting the right option for your driveway repair.

With so many cars moving on your driveway for a long time, your driveway will begin to show signs of damage. The first thing that you will start to realize is having small cracks as well as some divots on the material that is used in making the driveway. If the cracks on your driveways are not that deep, it is good to decide to repair your driveway. All you need is some liquid crack fillers for filling the cracks in the driveway. In case the cracks are more substantial, maybe a width of more than a quarter-inch, it is clear that your driveway is in a mess. If you repair such cracks on your driveway by just filling them using liquid crack fillers, the problem will be solved but temporarily.

Driveway patching

In case your driveway has some holes in it, you need to ensure that you patch the holes using some patching materials. Although you will have your driveway patched, water will still find its way through the patches. With time the water will begin opening the holes on your driveway again. Some homeowners will choose to patch the driveways by themselves rather than hiring concrete contractors to repair. Patching your driveway pushes the replacement of your driveway for quite some time.

Driveway replacement

The look on your driveway could be the main factor that gives your home a complement. If your driveway is in bad shape, then your home will also be in the same shape. Consequently, if you are the type of homeowners who sells houses, you will realize that your buyers will tend to look at whether the driveway has holes and cracks on it. If this is the situation on your driveway, then it would be best to replace it rather than patching it. This type of concrete repair would be best for the driveways whose conditions are deplorable. Although it could be costly, the replacement on your driveway could give your driveway the best look that every homeowner will want.

Driveway resurfacing

At any time you want to hire any concrete contractors to work on the patches that are always on your driveway or redo it, you should think about resurfacing it. When you get the best contractors for concrete repair, they will help you in resurfacing your driveway. Resurfacing your driveway involves removing the topmost layer on the driveway and replacing it with another. The best thing with having your driveway resurfaced is that it becomes brand new. Even if there are cracks and pits on the driveway, when you resurface it, you will not have the same problem for quite some time. When the driveway is resurfaced, all the cracks and the pits will be repaired at the same time. This is the best option if you want to have your driveway looking better at all times.

By admin Asphalt Driveway • Asphalt Paving • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Resurfacing Concrete With Asphalt

Concrete is an inexpensive building material that shows up in a number of domestic and commercial applications. It is often used for floors, driveways, sidewalks, and even parking lots. However, concrete has limitations. These problems may show up over time or as the concrete weathers:

  • Unsightly staining. This can range from mold to spilled garage chemicals to simple weathering that gives it a dull look.
  • Cracks. These may start from impacts, extreme temperatures, or water. They can start out small but, if not addressed, will spread and worsen.
  • Surface pitting. This kind of damage, which may come from sources like weather or chemical contact, makes the concrete vulnerable to cracking. It is also unsightly.
  • Potholes. These can develop and worsen during use.
  • Bulges. They may appear after a winter and hint at potential water damage. Bulges also stress and weaken the concrete in these areas.
  • Erosion. If you see erosion in the earth under the edges of the concrete, this is a sure sign of water flowing down there.

What can you do if you notice these issues? Can you prevent trouble before it develops? In both cases, you may want to resurface your concrete with asphalt.

What is Asphalt Resurfacing?

Asphalt resurfacing involves placing a solid layer of asphalt over the existing concrete. It does not involve removing the concrete or randomly patching problems. Resurfacing creates a smooth surface that is pedestrian and vehicle friendly. It also does not allow water to seep in and cause damage.

What Are the Advantages of Asphalt?

Asphalt has a number of advantages over concrete. These include:

  • Price. Asphalt is often a more budget-friendly solution than pouring new concrete. It may be half the price or less.
  • Durability. Due to how it’s made, asphalt tends to hold up better to harsh weather. If you live in an area with intense winters, asphalt may be the better choice.
  • Easy maintenance. Asphalt is easy to remove snow and ice from. It holds up better to road salting. Snow and ice melt faster on this heat-retaining surface. Finally, due to the color, it does not show stains as much.
  • Easy repair. When concrete gets damaged, you will typically need to replace or resurface it. Meanwhile, asphalt can be directly repaired. The material bonds well to patches and new areas. This makes it easy to repair cracks and other damage.
  • Quick installation. Asphalt has a noticeably quicker time for installation, making it a great fit for businesses that don’t want to shut down for very long.
  • Repaving is easy. Because asphalt is made of a number of layers, it is straightforward to remove and replace just the surface.

Take it To the Pros

When it comes to surfaces you walk and drive on, you want to make sure it gets done right the first time around. It’s vital to create a smooth surface that won’t harm tires or cause people to trip. Large areas like parking lots may require banking so water drains properly. It’s also important that the surface creates a seal, keeping water out. Water can cause a lot of damage, especially during freezing winters.

This is why it’s essential to hire experienced professionals. The right company can evaluate what your home or business needs. They’ll give you a quote and get the job done quickly.

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8 Easy Ways To Improve Business Curb Appeal

The outward appearance of your business plays a vital role in making a first impression—whether good or bad. Before deciding to walk inside, potential customers will form a subconscious opinion based on how it looks on the outside. By making a few simple adjustments, your storefront can become considerably more welcoming. Here are eight ways to enhance your curb appeal, simply and affordably:

 

1. Effective Signage

Make sure you invest in a sign that has your business name, logo, and website and/or phone number. This should be large enough so it’s easy to read from the street, and minimal without being too wordy. Stick to no more than three colors.

 

2. Spruce It Up

Trim hedges, sweep the sidewalk and porch, and wash your windows so they sparkle and shine. Go around and do any paint touch-ups where needed. Placing a couple of large potted plants on either side of the entrance adds a splash of life and beauty.

 

3. Embellish the Front

Think about adding a pretty new awning over your entrance to provide shade and shelter, or maybe installing a brand new front door. If that’s not in the budget, painting your existing door a vibrant color adds a fun touch and offers a warm, inviting welcome.

 

4. Parking Lot

If your establishment has a parking lot that accommodates several cars, consider having parking lines painted on or existing ones touched up. Follow up with seal coating to protect it from cracking and potholes. In addition, having a well-lit parking lot is much appreciated and helps customers feel safe.

 

5. New Concrete

How does your sidewalk look? If it’s chipped or cracked, you might consider hiring someone to repair or replace the damaged areas. Not only does a smooth, clean walkway make a great impression, it’s a good idea that can prevent any potential accidents from happening—something you definitely don’t want on your business property. Another way to boost your business kudos is to provide accessibility for disabled visitors, such as a installing a wheelchair ramp.

 

6. Help Out Neighbors

If your business is among other shops in in a strip mall, offer to tidy up for those around you who might need it. Being a good Samaritan for your work neighbors is a nice gesture as well as a way to improve upon the looks of your storefront area.

 

7. Offer a Sale

If you run a retail business, consider placing a few clearance items outside or some interesting items displayed in the window that will attract customers. According to a recent survey, 20% of the purchases made by American adults are done on impulse. Here’s your chance to lure them in with some offers they cannot resist!

 

8. Percent Off or Limited Time Offers

Everyone loves a bargain, and what better way to get potential customers through the door than with a large, “50% Off Today Only” sign? A sale—especially one with a limited time offer—brings a sense of urgency and gets people to buy.

 

These are just a few easy ways to improve the visual appeal of your business that will make a considerable impact on the perceived value, without spending a lot of time or money.

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3 Variables To Consider When Determining Asphalt Paving Costs

Asphalt pavements are made from a mixture of stones, sand, and liquefied asphalt cement at 300°F. Upon cooling, the mixture forms a hard surface that is capable of accommodating heavy weights including vehicles. When computing asphalt paving costs, key among the factors to consider include soil, usage, and size. It is essential that you consult an experienced constructor to give you a quote before commencing on a project to ensure that your budget is capable of executing the task to completion.

Soil

The type of soil in the area to be paved plays a vital role in influencing asphalt paving costs. The kind of soil has a direct impact on the type of subgrade that will be used to support the load which will be transmitted from the pavement. The cost of paving increases with the increase in subgrade thickness. The subgrade is the working platform upon which the construction equipment is supported and is also the foundation to the pavement structure for supporting and distributing the traffic load. It is, therefore, critical to evaluate the how strong the subgrade should be before embarking on a pavement’s structural design. Failure to provide the required subgrade thickness can result in deflection rendering your work to be useless. Different soil types have to vary (texture) support capabilities which influence the depth of the subgrade. Soil texture is the average size of its mineral particles, and it defines how a type of soil can be used. Usually, most natural soils are made of different particle sizes which are used to distinguish one type from the other. Soils can be categorized into three main classes based on texture: Light, medium, and heavy-textured or fine grained. The three categories can further be classified as gravels, silts, sands, or clays.

Usage

The core function of an asphalt pavement is to distribute the weight on the wheels to the supporting subgrade. Asphalt paving costs vary with the type of load that will be accommodated on the pavement. Axle load can be classified into single, tandem, and multiple and can weigh up to 50,000 pounds. Asphalt pavements for use by tandem and multiple axle loads experience reduced load effects and thus, have a long lifespan. Asphalt pavements for use by single axle loads lack a diminished load effect and are thus, costly to pave due to the high-quality requirements to lengthen their lifespan. The volume and distribution of a load play a critical role in estimating the anticipated life of asphalt pavement and consequently, its cost. Usage of asphalt pavement can be predicted based on historical traffic records and truck percentage. To determine the effect of traffic, you require to establish the total volume of the two-way Average Daily Traffic (ADT). You can estimate a road’s ADT by use of a traffic map or a pneumatic tube on the road for some days. Traffic weight can have a dramatic effect on asphalt paving costs. Design differences have a direct impact on material, labor and equipment costs.

Size

The size of the area to be paved also impacts on the cost of asphalt paving. Size differences can be in parameters such as the gradient of the area to be paved, the extent of ground clearance required including the removal of physical barriers such as trees and buildings. Also, the cost of paving can be affected by whether the pavement will be flat or will have peaks and depressions to control the movement of storm water.

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Issues with Standing Water on my Asphalt Parking Lot

Flooded parking lots make navigation nearly impossible for motorists and also poses mobility problems to pedestrians. What’s more, such derelict parking spaces end up causing damage to your precious car, and you’re forced to make expensive repairs every now and then. But where do these annoying puddles come from? And can the formation of these puddles on your asphalt parking lots be prevented?

The surface lining roads, pavements and curbs constantly undergo wear and tear as the vehicles use them and as the seasons come and pass. Weather plays a crucial role in shaping up these roads, especially during snowy weather conditions. The falling snow finds its way into small cracks and crevices lining the asphalt parking lots and pavements. With time, the snow starts to erode the surface of your parking lot, and that’s one of the main element behind the gaping potholes on your parking lots and roads.

Preventive Measures

Asphalt pavements also get damaged by heavy vehicles and trucks, either parked or moving. The excess tonnage of these earth monsters causes the pavements to get depressed, and in the process, the walkways are weakened. The best way to avoid weak and unstable sidewalks is by making sure the contractors compact the soils on the pavements foundation properly such that it can comfortably support heavy vehicles. Also, heavy vehicles ought not to be parked for extended durations on the asphalt parking lot. Finally, by regularly cleaning the parking lot it will last longer and will be much safer for all.

Drainage Fixes

Stagnant water pools on your parking lot may also come from a poor drainage infrastructure. The parking lot should have a robust drainage system capable of handling all the water rushing in from torrential rainfalls and burst sewage pipes. It’s worth noting that, puddling is a preventable problem. Consult with your local asphalt experts and get them to divulge other secrets and tips on how one undertakes proper parking lot maintenance.

Finding Asphalt Contractors

There’s no need whatsoever for you to panic just because of a clogged up parking lots. There’s always an easy solution and way out of the parking lot nightmares. The solution involves seeking the services of a reliable, trusted and accredited asphalt contractor and then paying them to undo the asphalt damage. The first thing that a licensed pavement repair contractor will do once you contact them is sending an expert to inspect the extent of damage on your parking lot.

The emissary from the asphalt construction company then uses their past exposure and experience to figure out what exactly is causing the unsightly potholes. The asphalt specialists may, for instance, decide to go with one of the most commonly used pavement repair procedures known as the infrared asphalt treatment. Alternatively, the issue may be emanating from old and malfunctioning drainage pipes, and in that case, the expert guides you on how to buy and install new gutters, curbs, and even trench drains from reputable concrete companies.

In conclusion

To save money and still walk away with a terrific pavement job, here’s what you should do. Always hire the most experienced asphalt pavement Solutions Company over the new and counterparts in the asphalt industry. To solve the standing water problems once and for all, you’re highly recommended to reach out to a registered asphalt pavement service provider.